How is Aikido different from other martial arts?
Aikido is different in many ways. First, one can distinguish in general the old versus new martial arts. Older forms of Japanese martial arts focused almost entirely on fighting techniques. Their names often include the suffix jitsu which means technique, for example jujitsu, or kenjitsu. The modern martial arts, of which Aikido is one, add the idea of personal development as well as many of them contain the last Japanese character do which translates as path. Beyond that, Aikido has a unique character that can be seen in its approach to martial arts training. Unlike most martial arts, Aikido has no competition. Students work cooperatively to improve their understanding and execution of the techniques. Aikido focuses on the art of efficiently moving oneself and ones opponent, and conversely, on safely receiving the power of the opponent . A relaxed body is necessary to learn this skill, and this is best developed by cooperative practice. For similar reasons, there are no tournaments or
